They came, they went, and most came again – and in the end, it’s one helluva logjam at the Mollymook Golf Club’s Hilltop course.
Trying to find a winner after the opening round of the season’s first qualifier for the 2026 Ford NSW Women’s Open is akin to a lottery with five women locked at one-over 73, and another eight live chances within three strokes.
Former champion – yet still schoolgirl – Rachel Lee was the classic example on a day of opportunity and challenge as a gusty westerly wind whipped around the course.
Amateur Lee, the widely heralded 2023 Mollymook champ, made four birdies with apparent ease, but somehow mixed in five bogeys to take her spot among the leaders.
She was joined by Sydney-based Korean Nayeon Eum, rookie Queensland pro Hannah Reeves and regular contenders Belinda Ji and Danni Vasquez-Boyd, all of whom had at least two birdies as well.
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And hard on their heels is another New South Welshwoman, Amelia Mehmet Grohn, who finally corralled her wayward putter and charged home with a couple of late birdies to sign for a 74.
And while the scores don’t necessarily sound awe-inspiring, on a layout that puts a premium on uphill putts and features deceptively bouncy greens, they were hard-earned.
“The wind was hard to judge out there, and you’ve got to be below the hole or they’re super fast (to putt on),” Vasquez-Boyd said.
“Talking to the girls, it seems like a few might have left a few out there with the putter, so I think that’s the challenge tomorrow.”
“If you can hit your numbers to give yourself the right putts, they (birdies) are out there.”
Reeves, a veteran of several WPGA Tour events but playing her first tournament as a professional, appeared as if she might be the one to catch.
The Brisbane Golf Club youngster was the leader at one under on the 14th tee, but gave shots back on the 14th and 16th holes to fall back into the group’s clutches.
Conversely, Eum, who has a growing love affair with the Hilltop layout, having featured here prominently in each of the past two years, found something late and birdied the 16th and uphill 18th to roar up the leaderboard.
“I really like the course,” Eum said.
“It’s tight in places, and it was windy today, so it really makes me focus on hitting a specific shot, which apparently I need,” she partly joked.
The last group out in tomorrow’s final round will start at 10.40am with the event broadcast live on Kayo from 11am.
TV TIMES – Mollymook
Saturday, 11 October
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
